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RSN October 2013Contents
Annual Meeting News
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Western Region
Call for PapersConference Theme: Retrieving Subjugated Voices Subjugated voices, discourses, and subaltern histories of the marginalized, the colonized, the out of place—how do gender, race, class, sexuality, disability, and religion play a role in the oppression of these discourses by mainstream paradigms? And how do we as scholars liberate them? As religious studies scholars we have used different methodologies—and invented new ones—to create space for these subjugated voices, histories, and discourses. We have turned to tools and theories from the arts, queer, feminist, literary, and Marxist studies as well as to more traditional disciplines of sociology, psychology, anthropology, material science, archeology, and ethnography. How effective are these tools and disciplines in opening our own field of religious studies to these voices? Are they themselves colonizing or liberating? Where, when, and how do we as scholars create the space for these voices? Chairs of the twenty-two units in our region have in various ways crafted calls for papers with this conference theme in mind. The theme opened an exciting variety of oft-neglected topics within the study of religion, including Radical Faeries, mental illness and homelessness, Paganism, ecology, and Afro-Jewish communities. For many units the theme is the main focus; for others it is one among several topics individuals are invited to address in their proposals. Individuals are encouraged to read through these rich and engaging calls as they consider participation in our 2014 conference. General InstructionsOctober 4, 2013 is the deadline for submitting proposals via e-mail to unit chairs for papers for the 2014 AAR/WR Conference. Proposals or abstracts should be no more than 250 words in length and, along with the participant form, should be sent as an attachment to unit chair(s) at the e-mail addresses provided below. Individuals whose proposals are accepted must be members of the AAR before the conference date in order to present. Note: There are two special joint sessions cosponsored by separate units; those calls are included in a separate section toward the end of this document. The the 2014 conference again includes pre-caucus meetings; information is included at the end of the document. Finally, as a pilot recommended by unit chairs for the 2014 conference, we are departing from our policy restricting individuals from submitting more than one proposal. For 2014, individuals may submit proposals to two separate units. AAR/WR UnitsAsian American Religious Studies The Asian American Religious Studies Section invites individual papers and/or panel proposals on all aspects of theories and methods in the study of Asian religions in America or Asian American religiosities. As an interdisciplinary field of study grounded in a commitment to Please send questions and submissions, along with your participant form to Jonathan Lee (jlee@sfsu.edu). Buddhist Studies The Buddhist Studies session would like to invite submissions for papers dealing with the topic of Buddhism and ecology. Many of those involved in the ecological movement have found inspiration and parallels within the Buddhist tradition. What are they? What does Buddhism say about ecology and how humans should be better stewards of Mother Nature? Presenters are encouraged to explore the existing literature and current trends in the eco-friendly and sustainable movements and relate them to Buddhist ethics and relevant sutras. Please send a two-page proposal with an abstract, along with your participant form, to Kenneth Lee (klee@csun.edu). Catholic Studies The Catholic Studies unit seeks the submission of abstracts that explore the representation of the saint (i.e. how saints are depicted in text, iconography, or liturgy, and how saints can serve as vehicles for expressing or articulating religious “truths”). We hope to compose panels that investigate the ways in which saints can embody, resist, complicate, or transform religious/cultural values in various historical and geographical contexts. We are especially interested in how hagiography can be read as historical writing, and how that might compare with our idea of modern, "objective" historiography. What would that mean for the continuing value of saints’ lives today? In the spirit of the conference theme, "Retrieving the Subjugated Voices," we also encourage papers that examine how hagiographies can function as histories of the marginalized, the colonized, or the out of place. Exceptional papers will be considered for publication in a projected volume on comparative hagiography. Please send your proposal and participant form to cochairs Rico G. Monge (rmonge@sandiego.edu) and Lauren Horn Griffin (lhg@umail.ucsb.edu). Proposals of panels are also welcome—please include abstracts for each paper as well as a short description of your panel theme. Ecology and Religion Ecology and religion begins as a marginal conversation, sidelined from traditional theology and religious studies. Although ecological concerns have become more mainstream in popular and academic cultures, few full-time faculty are devoted solely to the subject. Instead, most scholars of religion include ecology as an addendum to their “bread and butter” work in religion, or find themselves split between departments of religion and science. Ecology movements within universities are increasingly common, but where will they form sustaining infrastructural elements and where will they dissipate as passing popular ideas? Some scholars focus on doubly marginal movements for ecological values within subjugated religious cultures (Hawaiians, Indigenous peoples, Jains, Jews, Mormons, Muslims, and many more, depending on locality) or marginalized social-political groupings (by race, class, gender, sexuality, and their intersections or people subject to colonization and/or imperialism). Navigating ecological themes in subaltern communities brings marginalized and minority voices to a dynamic global ecological discourse. For the 2014 conference, we invite proposals illustrating the diverse academic approaches to religious-ecological perspectives, policies, and behaviors deriving from subaltern perspectives, be they religious, spiritual, or otherwise. Critical approaches demonstrating colonizing or liberating methodologies are most welcome. In light of contemporary ecological transformations among religious communities, we also appeal for proposals exhibiting historical transformations or perseverance in ecological attitudes. We also encourage submissions that address any number of broader issues regarding religion and ecology, including but not limited to: nature, the environment, the energy crisis, mining and other forms of land usage and reformation, human-created waste (including islands of plastics floating in oceans or astronaut trash floating in space), modernity, genetic modification of food plants and animals, toxicity, industrialized agriculture, the economics of subsistence farming, fish farming, water rights, oceans, forests, climate change, global warming, natural resources, globalization, transnational commerce and exploitative extraction, ecotheology, ecofeminism, environmental justice, environmental education, ecopsychology, sustainability, greening, green-washing, Gaia, environmental ethics, anthropocentrism/speciesism, and particular communities of animals, plants, and peoples. These topics may be contextualized in continuity with past and future generations; with awareness of contemporary impacts on future generations of species, landscapes, and ecosystems; and with attention to communities’ conceptual and practical regenerative capacities as they move towards ecological balance, health, sustainability, or other formidable goals. Please email a one-page proposal and participant form to both section cochairs Sarah Robinson (mssarahrobinson@gmail.com) and Joel Stoker (jstoker@asu.edu). Education and Workshops Submissions for papers and panels for the annual meeting of the Western Region of the American Academy of Religion are welcome on all topics in teaching religious studies or theology. Please send a one-page proposal and participant form to Philip Boo Riley (priley@scu.edu). Ethics In keeping with the theme for the 2014 AAR/WR conference, “Retrieving Subjugated Voices," the Ethics Section invites proposals providing ethical analysis from a diverse range of academic, religious, and ethical methodologies in response to one or more of the following questions:
Your proposal, along with the participant form, may be sent via e-mail to Kelly Fitzsimmons Burton (kelly.fitzsimmons@asu.edu). Graduate Student Professional Development This unit is dedicated to professional development as it relates to graduate students, future graduate students, and those involved in the training of graduate students. For our first panel, we invite proposals on any aspect of professional development (CVs, networking, grant or job applications, training in research methods, etc.). We especially encourage proposals that can tie the topics to a larger discussion of the marginalized location of graduate students and graduate student training in the academy. Although overwhelming in number and required for the perpetuation of the academy, graduate student experiences are also rendered out-of-place in subtle and overt ways. For example, critical discussions of the constructed nature of religious studies’ concepts rarely consider the formative roles that graduate training and job categories play in the shaping of these very concepts. Another example is that students applying to become professors are often given the advice to “stop acting like graduate students,” negating the very condition that was supposed to prepare them for this transition. We invite a variety of formats, including workshops, guided discussions, individual papers, or panels. For our second panel, we ask professors to encourage future graduate students to submit their research proposals on any topic. This undergraduate panel will serve as professional development for the presenters as well as the audience, who will be asked to practice their mentoring skills during the feedback session. It is also meant to encourage professors to mentor their undergraduates in the practice of submitting a proposal and writing and presenting an academic presentation. Accepted undergraduates will be expected to submit their completed papers to the unit chair two weeks prior to the conference. Please send your short proposal and participant form to Kristy Slominski (slominski@umail.ucsb.edu). Exception to the one-paper presentation policy: If you are submitting a proposal on professional development to our first panel, you are also eligible to present a research paper to another panel. You must indicate in your submission e-mail to which other unit you have applied. History of Christianity Orientalism—the theory that European colonizers held little respect for Eastern cultures—argues that misconceptions of “the East” continue to proliferate. Likewise, Occidentalism—the Eastern misperception of the West as the source of all evil—has equally negative views of Western religion and culture. European colonialism certainly led to destructive patterns and outcomes. However, it can be argued that Western colonialism had upsides. Additionally, precolonial societies had problems before Western peoples migrated to their shores. The notion that “the East” was a pure, morally correct, unspoiled Eden is problematic. Religious studies scholars employ many methodologies to investigate the ongoing concerns about these and related issues. As scholars, it is important that we listen to voices on all sides, creating space for marginalized and subaltern voices, wherever they may be. Retrieving historically subjugated voices requires balance and sensitivity. The History of Christianity Unit welcomes proposals for papers or entire panels that address these concerns. We will consider proposals on all aspects of the History of Christianity, including but not limited to the following:
Papers should be conceived for effective twenty-minute presentations. Please send proposals and participant form to Enrico Beltramini (ebeltramini@ndnu.edu) and Dyron Daughrity (Dyron.Daughrity@pepperdine.edu). Indigenous Religions Indigenous Religions invites papers related to the 2014 conference theme, "Retrieving Subjugated Voices." Please send your proposal and participant form to Kevin Whitesides (dimensional_didge@hotmail.com). Islamic Studies The Islam Unit encourages paper and panel proposals in all areas of Islamic studies for the 2014 annual conference. This year's theme uses a broad question: how do we in religious studies retrieve subjugated voices? As always, we encourage papers dealing with historical and contemporary issues in the field such as Muslim experiences and institutions, globalized Islamic studies, and Islam in America. Interdisciplinary papers are encouraged. Successful proposals will reflect theoretical and methodological sophistication and promote deeper understanding of the issues that relate to Islam's place in public life along with thorough examination of Muslim practices. We encourage individual papers, or panels. Please send proposals and participant form to Dr. Abdullahi A. Gallab (abdullahi.gallab@asu.edu) and Sophia Pandya ( ). Jewish Studies The Jewish community is known for its diversity. Within this community there is a diversity of spiritual and religious practice; a diversity of ethnicities; a diversity of opinions regarding the Jewish homeland. The Jewish Studies Section invites papers that address any of the above issues as well as following issues:
The Jewish Studies Section is also interested in reading papers on other topics not specifically addressed in this call. Please send your proposal and participant form to Miri Hunter Haruach (eizorakdanit@yahoo.com). Latino/a Religions A recent study that looked at classes offered by colleges in southern California revealed that over the past several years there has been a growth of classes on subjects related to Latino and Mexican-American Studies (e.g., History of Mexico, Latin-American Literature, Sociology of Latinos, Mexican Art History, Latino Politics, The Mexican-American Family, etc.). However, while there is growth in courses related to Latino and Mexican-American Studies in anthropology, art, English, history, political science, sociology, and Spanish departments, there tends to be no such classes offered through religious studies and philosophy departments. This year the Latino Religion Unit of the AAR/WR is looking for papers that address the question: What sort of attention does Latino religion and Latino thought garner from within the multi-disciplinary field that is religious studies? Of course, this section is open to creative proposals on other subjects of interest; for example:
Please send proposals and participant form to Paul Rodriguez, Claremont Graduate University ( ). Nineteenth Century The Nineteenth Century Unit provides a forum for the study of various religions around the world in the nineteenth century. This year we invite papers or panels that reflect the 2014 conference theme, "Retrieving Subjugated Voices." As this theme very much describes the dynamics of the nineteenth century, we welcome papers that explore how dominant voices subjugated or marginalized others and fueled colonization, as well as papers that show how outsider groups responded or made their voices heard. Further, we welcome papers that explore the benefits and dangers that come with applying a specific lens (queer, feminist, literary, Marxist, etc.) to draw out marginalized voices in the nineteenth century. Please send your proposal and participant form via e-mail attachment to unit chair Christina Littlefield (christina.littlefield@pepperdine.edu). If you are proposing a panel of three to four papers, please include short abstracts for each paper on the panel, and a short description of your panel theme. Pagan Studies What are our voices as contemporary Pagans out in the world at this point in history? In which places do we stand culturally, politically, socially, and religiously? How do we present ourselves? How do we respond to remarks about who we are such as: laughter—Pagans disappeared a long time ago; to accusations—you are devil worshippers; to dismissals—you don’t have a real religion? Where do we stand against the hegemony of monotheistic religions whose adherents try to own the conversation on morality and spirituality? What do we need to do to build our voice, not only in the academy, but also in the world? How do we claim our alignment with the Ancient Mysteries in a way that actually gives us a voice? In America, how do we organize—without losing our plurality—clear the problems affecting employment, child custody, etc.? What do we need/want to do to no longer be marginalized? We are looking for papers that deal with these questions or others while relating to the general CFP theme. Be creative. Be thoughtful. Be part of the first unit on Pagan Studies in the Western Regional Chapter of the AAR. Please send your abstract and participant form to Kahena Viale (dkviale@csupomona.edu). Philosophy of Religion The admirable goal of giving voice to the oppressed raises two major types of issues within the realm of philosophy of religion. The first is: How can the dialogue that is encouraged within the philosophical endeavor occur in the midst of historical communities that have been marginalized? Can the attempt to give voice to the subjugated create a new subjugation whereby the previous powers are themselves marginalized? How can philosophers begin to develop methods where religion can be discussed in a way that is retains the particularity of different views, while providing for the recognition of the dignity of those holding opposing perspectives? The second issue is based on the insight recognized by Wittgenstein, as well as many others, that the religious life is an interrelated complex of thoughts, beliefs, practices, etc. For this reason, philosophers of religion often make forays into different areas of the field in attempting to examine religious questions. Thus, the question arises as to how the metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical perspectives of religion can begin to address the question of systemic oppression that has affected the current state of dialogue within religious studies. Can religion provide some of the content for philosophers to use to begin to address issues of disunity, oppression, and the silencing of opposition? Please send your proposal and participant form to Joshua Kira (jkira@masters.edu). Psychology, Culture, and Religion Peoples become marginalized for a variety of reasons. Amongst these, perhaps, the most painful is mental illness. Historically, the mentally ill have suffered silently at home or have been muted in warehouses for those whose families found it inconvenient or impossible to maintain them. Today, many suffer wherever the homeless congregate, and even when they speak, they are generally ignored by the wider population. The elderly too are silenced in warehouses, and even those that aren’t rarely find an ear in a society devoted to the young and the beautiful. Finally, those that cannot or will not adapt to the dominant culture often find themselves silenced in substandard employment and/or ethnic and linguistic ghettos. In support of the conference theme, we invite papers that explore a variety of topics, including relevant psychological theories applicable to the recovery the voices of the elderly and the mentally ill. We also encourage papers that address the reasons for cultural isolation as well as those that examine the variety of theories that activists use in attempts to redress cultural marginalization. Please send proposals and participant forms to Hester Oberman (hoberman@email.arizona.edu) and Tim Helton (tim@timhelton.com). Queer Studies in Religion Queer Studies in Religion seeks papers that engage race, gender, and sexuality within religious, theological, and spiritual communities. For example, we are very interested in the Latin American diaspora and Atlantic worlds, the intersections of queerness and Mormon and Catholic lives, and women's participation in queer theology. We are also interested in queer contributions to religious art, as art can be broadly defined within such areas as the blues and other forms of religious/ spiritual expression. An additional panel will focus on witches, Radical Faeries, and mystics—a queer history. This can include, but is not limited to: two-spiritedness, feminist spirituality, and the queering of voodoo. Finally, Queer Studies in Religion wants to emphasize any type of scholarship that explores queer (LGBTQIA) studies in religion from queer-identified or allied scholars both within and outside of the academy. Please send a 250 word proposal alongside the participant form to Queer Studies in Religion cochairs John Erickson (jerickson85@gmail.com) and Marie Cartier (ezmerelda@earthlink.net). We are eager and excited begin another great year in queer religious scholarship in the Western Region. Religion and the Arts The Religion and the Arts Unit solicits papers on any subject dealing with the intersection of religion and the arts. We especially welcome papers on the conference theme, “Retrieving Subjugated Voices.” Lines of inquiry might include, but not be limited to:
Please send a 200-250 word proposal along with the participant form to Dirk von der Horst (dirkster42@yahoo.com) and Roy Whitaker (roy_whitaker@hotmail.com).
Religion and the Social Sciences Please send your proposal and participant form to Krista Wuertz (krista.wuertz@cst.edu).
Religion in America Religion in America also seeks proposals that illuminate the ways in which popular culture is a vehicle for retrieving subjugated voices; and/or American religious hybridity. Please send a 250-word proposal alongside the participant form to Religions in America chair Doe Daughtrey (doe.daughtrey@asu.edu). Religion, Literature, and Film The Religion, Literature, and Film section of the AAR/WR welcomes proposals directly related to the 2014 conference theme, “Retrieving Subjugated Voices,” particularly as expressed in current or contemporary literary works or viewed in current or contemporary films. We also welcome proposals that extend the ongoing discussion in this section that directly relate to literary and film criticism and the academic study of religion. Current AAR members should send a one-page proposal in Word format and a completed copy of the participant form via e-mail to Jon R. Stone (jrstone@csulb.edu). Religions of Asia This session seeks individual papers that explore the concepts of marginalization and the overcoming of marginalization in the context of religions of Asia and the study of religions of Asia. “Marginalization” here might pertain to any of a wide variety of topics, including:
We seek papers covering all religions of Asia and from all disciplinary approaches, including papers that do not directly address the call for papers. Please send your proposal and participant form to Dr. Anna M. Hennessey (amhennessey@gmail.com), Thien-Huong Ninh (ttn1@williams.edu), and Charles Townsend (charles.townsend@email.ucr.edu).
Womanist/Pan-African (2 Sessions)
Womanist and Pan-Africanist in the West
Please send a 250 word proposal alongside the participant form to Womanist and Pan-African Studies chair Sakena Young-Scaggs at (revsystah@gmail.com).
Women in Religion In line with the 2014 conference theme, “Retrieving Subjugated Voices,” we especially invite papers that explore the spiritual voices of women who have been marginalized not only by gender, but also by race, class, sexuality, gender identity, nationality, and other factors. We encourage both papers that address the content of women’s subjugated voices as well as those that explore methodological strategies for retrieving subaltern narratives. We also welcome papers that address pedagogical issues related to bringing marginal voices into the classroom. Should you wish to be considered for the Section panel, kindly submit your proposal and participant form via e-mail to both Chandra Alexandre (cma38@columbia.edu) and Alka Arora (aarora@ciis.edu). Special Joint Sessions Scheduled for the 2014 MeetingJewish Studies and Womanist/Pan-African Joint Session We invite papers which retrieve the voices of the African diaspora and the Jewish diaspora with the goal of recentering from the margin subjugated voices and the retrieval of marginalized voices that critically examine the contemporary places of religious presence and cultural influence of Afro-Jewish people. Papers should address the confluence and divergences of African and Jewish diasporas. We invite papers that critically examine and develop approaches to the awareness of the historical, political, religious, and philosophical issues that arise from the convergence of the African and Jewish diasporas. Papers that wrestle with the crossing of boarders and boundaries of Black Jewish religious practices; the cultural diversity of Afro-Jewish people; the unique problems faced by the Israelite and related New World Afro-Jewish communities are invited as well as papers that address the issues of the Ethiopian Jewish community, the Lemba, the Ibo and other African people that trace their heritage within the definition of the Jewish tradition. Please send a 250 word proposal alongside the participant form to Womanist and Pan-African Studies chair Sakena Young-Scaggs (revsystah@gmail.com) and the Jewish Studies chair Miri Hunter Haruach (eizorakdanit@yahoo.com). Religion in America/Queer Studies in Religion The Religion in America and Queer Studies in Religion Sections seek papers that engage the intersectionality and historical conversations between LGBTQIA and Mormon communities within the discourse of religious studies. For example, we are very interested in papers that focus on gender, sexuality, legal issues (e.g., Prop. 8) church/allied groups, theology, and activism ranging from online and digital landscapes to grassroots organizations and activists. To propose a paper for this session, please send a 250-word proposal alongside the participant form to Queer Studies in Religion cochairs John Erickson (jerickson85@gmail.com) and Marie Cartier at (ezmerelda@earthlink.net) and Religion in America chair Doe Daughtrey (doe.daughtrey@asu.edu). Pre-Conference Meetings Scheduled for the 2014 MeetingPlease be aware that both the Women’s Caucus and the Queer Studies in Religion Caucus will be hosting pre-conference events. Further information to follow.
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